Pedro Caixinha insists his aim is to make Rangers the top team in Scotland - and he has a "totally clear" idea of how he plans to move towards that.

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes this week told Caixinha he would soon find out that his job was to finish above Celtic after the Rangers boss questioned whether the Dons could maintain their run of Ladbrokes Premiership runners-up spots next season.

But Caixinha, who claims he cleared the air with McInnes, is in no doubt about his task and he is stepping up his rebuilding work in the coming weeks.

The Portuguese coach, whose team are 39 points adrift of champions Celtic ahead of their final game against St Johnstone on Sunday, said: "Rangers always look to be first, Rangers always look to be the best team in the country. Rangers wants to be big again and that's what we are working on.

"We are not worried about second position, we are worried about being the first ones, and that's what we are working on. We know that is costing a lot of time, work and resources, but that's what we are working on.

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"When we came here, we knew what a massive job we needed to do, and we are doing it. And believe me, if things go in this right direction, next season will be totally different. I have no doubts about it."

Caixinha has already told Clint Hill and Philippe Senderos they will not be getting new contracts and he revealed he would inform other players about their futures on Saturday, although moving players on will not be straightforward given the rest are under contract.

Rangers have been linked with moves for the likes of Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack and 35-year-old Portugal centre-back Bruno Alves, who is halfway through a two-year deal with Serie A side Cagliari.

And Caixinha plans to have most of his squad in place by the time they return for pre-season training on June 5.

"We have all the picture of what we want and we are working on it, and we expect to have it as soon as possible," he said.

"I have a totally clear idea, I have the whole picture.

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"We want to start with all the squad organised according to what we have on the picture, on the fifth. We have some cases which are maybe depending on other situations but they will be with us soon after that."

When asked about Alves, Caixinha said: "Bruno Alves is a great player, that's all I can tell you."

Right-back James Tavernier admits the players expect major changes this summer.

The 25-year-old, who has a year left on his deal, said: "I've been reading that a lot of new faces are going to come in, so I imagine the gaffer is going to bring some players and bring his stamp for next season.

"Every time a new manager comes in they have always got their own players that they like and they have a style of players that would fit their plans.